UM climbs to 13th spot in Asia varsity ranking

PETALING JAYA: Universiti Malaya is ranked 13th in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings: Asia 2020.

This is its highest position to date. It was ranked 19th last year.

Malaysia’s other four research universities also improved, with UPM ranked 33rd, USM 37th, UKM 39th and UTM 46th (see table).

UM vice-chancellor Datuk Abdul Rahim Hashim said the country’s premier university was breaking its own record and moving upwards for the ninth consecutive year.

He said the university was also ranked top in the nation under six indicators including academic reputation, employer reputation, student to faculty ratio, citations per paper, international research network and inbound exchange students, placing UM within the top 3% of some 600 Asian universities ranked.

UPM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Aini Ideris said the university has been showing steady progress in the past six years.

“We will continue our efforts to benchmark our practices and performance with the best in the region and the world,” she added.

Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) ranked 82nd this year, making it the top private institution among its Malaysian counterparts. It was in the 99th spot last year.

UTP deputy vice-chancellor (Research and Innovation) Prof Dr Mohd Shahir Liew said the university embarked on a transformational approach on its research strategy based on its capability and strength.

UCSI University is proud to have climbed 56 spots to rank 122nd this year. The university said it was on the right direction towards achieving academic excellence.

Management and Science University (MSU) president Prof Tan Sri Dr Mohd Shukri Ab Yajid said the institution would work on improving its research metrics through its Research Management Centre.

“This focuses on engagement with communities and industries with support from five structured units including commercialisation, data audit, publication, grants management and engagement,” he said.

MSU rose to 179th this year from the 271-280 band last year.

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman president Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat said its climb to 181st was possible through the close collaborations with industry and community that led to the high employability rate of its graduates.

Taylor’s University vice-chancellor and president Prof Michael Driscoll said the institution rose 26 spots to 109th.

“In the last few years, we have totally transformed the university by introducing radical reforms to our approach to teaching and research and by broadening our international reach,” he said.

For more information, visit www.TopUniversities.com.